Arturo Chacon-Cruz will sing the role of Des Grieux in Massenet’s “Manon” at the Opera de Monte Carlo.

The tenor is replacing Jean-Francois Borras, who is ill. The opera premieres today and it marks the second replacement in a cast that was supposed to include Sonya Yoncheva in the lead role. Chacon-Cruz will sing alongside Anne-Catherine Gillet in the title role.

A few days ago Chacon-Cruz made an unexpected debut at the Grand Theatre Liceu in Barcelona when he replaced Jose Bros in Massenet’s “Werther.” The tenor received a standing ovation and was an instant hit. Chacon-Cruz is currently rehearsing a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata” directed by Sofia Coppola. The production also stars Marina Rebeka and Placido Domingo.

Later this season the tenor is also slated to perform the role of Faust in the Berlioz’s “la Damnation de Faust” at the Bolshoi Opera and Rodolfo in Puccini’s “La Boheme” at the San Francisco Opera.

Borras is expected to return on Jan. 25 to the sing the final three performances of “Manon.”

About the Author

FRANCISCO SALAZAR, (Publisher) worked as a reporter for Latin Post where he has had the privilege of interviewing numerous opera stars including Anita Rachvelshvili and Ailyn Perez. He also worked as an entertainment reporter where he covered the New York and Tribeca Film Festivals and interviewed many celebrities such as Antonio Banderas, Edgar Ramirez and Benedict Cumberbatch. He currently freelances for Remezcla.

He holds a Masters in Media Management from the New School and a Bachelor’s in Film Production and Italian studies from Hofstra University.